After Everton howler, Alexander earns player of the match plaudits in 0-0 draw

Lee Alexander collects the player of the match champagne from sponsor Tony Sweeney of NG Homes after a clean sheet against Manchester City. Pic by Andy Buist

Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Alexander redeemed herself for last week’s howler against Everton with a player of
the match performance against English giants Manchester City on Sunday.

The 22-year-old helped the Scottish Champions shut out the English Super League side in a 0-0 draw at Petershill Park as City continued their pre-season campaign ahead of the
big kick-off on March 16.

Both
sides had plenty of chances to score but Alexander ensured the Glasgow side kept a clean sheet with two fine second-half saves to deny Manchester City’s England internationals Toni Duggan and Isobel Christiansen.

And the Stewartfield stopper was delighted to make up for last week’s error which gifted Everton their second goal in a 3-2 victory.

She
told the News: “It’s very satisfying to win the player of the match prize because I didn’t have my best game last week — but that’s football: one mistake and you’re making the headlines for the wrong reasons.

“It was a silly mistake in the last game, but I wasn’t afraid of making another one against Man City. You can’t think like that, you just have to believe that the next game will be better.

“So it was great to go out there against a real top team and go back to the performance I know I’m capable of.

“It’s our first clean sheet of the pre-season as well, so that’s pleasing because we worked a lot on our defensive shape after the Everton game.”

Glasgow City were without 11 first team players and had considered calling the match off, such was the extent of their injury crisis, but Alexander reckons the team will take great confidence from the result.

“It’s
comforting to see the players that came on Sunday doing such a good job
when we know we’ve got so many to come back as well,” added Alexander.

“We’ve
got a strong squad and it showed on Sunday as we managed to hold off a team full of experienced players, so that’s a confidence boost.

“Playing
under pressure makes you a better player and facing these top teams in the past fortnight will stand us in good stead for the league games coming up and, further down the line, the Champions League later in the year.”